Indian hockey’s precious diamonds need to be recognised

Indian Women’s hockey team players with coach Neil Hawgood during practice session at Dhyan Chand Stadium for the upcoming Hockey World League Round 2 on February 14, 2013 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Indian women’s team chief coach Neil Hawgood.

A potential super coach. Not because of his maiden success in such a short time or because he made his team win something that they have never done before. It is because of his attributes purely as a coach. To illustrate this point, let us examine his statements.

Neil Hawgood attributed the women’s team’s success in the Junior Hockey World Cup to the experience his wards attained while playing at the senior level.

India fielded more or less the same team which came a cropper in the FIH World League Round 3 in Rotterdam in June, and Hawgood said the experience of playing at the senior level worked wonders for the junior girls.

“The success has come from all the big losses as we have been beaten by top teams of the world in World League Round 3. Now, the senior level experience has helped the girls here at the Junior World Cup,” a jubilant Hawgood said after India defeated Spain 4-2 to earn their maiden semi-final place in the event.

Neil Hawgood: “It means a lot to our kids’ psychology that they can actually win a medal. They have never been in those games before. We practiced shoot-outs, so I thought we would score more than three out of seven. Our goalkeeper Bigan Soy, who never played a minute the whole tournament, did a great job. It was clear, when it came down to shoot-outs, she will be in the goal.”

After the Holland game, Neil Hawgood said, “We played very, very well today but we got a bit tired in the last ten minutes. We cannot complain. We also had a pretty good defence. Unfortunately we let in a soft goal; this was the 2-0. This match was a good lesson for my players.”

“I think when the girls wake up tomorrow, they will be driven to win the bronze medal. Playing for bronze is the best they have done in their life so far.”

“He saw the team at the junior Asia Cup soon after his appointment and was confident of their abilities. Hence, it was decided to include them in the senior program. Neil laid special emphasis on that and the results are showing,” says former national coach CR Kumar, who was Hawgood’s assistant.

a. Hawgood backed his team to make the semi-finals, knowing its strength and that of his opponents, and he achieves it.b. On the strength of his convictions, he plays an untested goalkeeper at a crucial juncture in a medal round game because he sees something in her, and he goes on to being correct.c. All statements are a testament to the fact that he knows the score, his team’s weakness, strengths, and is bold and willing to execute his ideas fearlessly.

This, to all observers, should be the hallmark of a true coach. Is it not proper for India to do Atithi-bhav (guest comfort above all) for a guest who will be doing so much for her in return? How about an offer that cannot be refused!

Maybe in addition to his current salary, some traditional perks could be offered, as most government officers routinely receive, like a bungalow or a chauffeur & car. It is something that he can only dream of in Australia. It would make it more comfortable for his family to visit him from Australia.

Maybe dual residencies option i.e. many months in India and the rest in Australia. How about some corporate sponsorship? Let us get some meat on the bone, and make the package really attractive. Plus, relieve some of the salary burden from the cash-strapped Sports Authority of India.

Coach Baldev Singh, the architect of Haryana’s hockey nursery of Shahabad.

Shahabad is contributing tremendously to the national women’s hockey program. The magnitude of his contribution to the program would be difficult to match anywhere in the world.

India has duly rewarded him with an Astroturf pitch, but it needs to up the ante, by providing him with whatever he needs to increase the success rate of this program. The country needs to give him the respect that he deserves and expand his program further.

Arrange a meeting with Neil Hawgood and CR Kumar and others in the know of Indian women’s hockey, so a common purpose and mutually beneficial agenda can be established. Also, a top-notch assistant for him is crucially needed to sustain and maintain his good work for a long time to come.

Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy

The vision of former sports minister Yashodara Raje Scindia. Also, current chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh must be appreciated for starting the Academy, and nurturing the talents of many on the current junior women’s team, as also the junior Men’s team, including Affan Yousuf & Arman Querishi, and for continually promoting and supporting Indian hockey.

Academy coach Paramjit Singh made the statement, “Work hard, you are destined for greater things.” This is truly a world-class effort. India salutes you! How about helping them form more academies, maybe in Gwalior & other such places?